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Shareholder Contributions: DGT doctrinal evolution

How the DGT's position on this topic has evolved, and the rulings it rests on.

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How the DGT's position has evolved

Settled doctrine High confidence 9 rulings · 2014–2023

Current position

The forgiveness of debts between companies held by the same shareholders in identical proportions is classified as a shareholder contribution to equity for the recipient company. This operation does not generate tax effects on the taxable base of Corporate Income Tax (IS) as it does not affect the accounting result. Likewise, it does not constitute a taxable event for Transfer Tax (ITP) due to the lack of onerousness.

The DGT's position remains constant in classifying debt forgiveness between companies with common shareholders as shareholder contributions. The evolution shows greater technical precision by linking the absence of tax effects in Corporate Income Tax (IS) to the non-existence of an impact on the accounting result.

Turning points

  1. V1210-14

    Establishes the distinction between the portion of the forgiveness that coincides with the shareholding (contribution) and the excess (taxable income).

  2. V1600-17

    Specifies that for the contribution of a credit to be considered equity, it must be carried out without the right to its repayment or without agreeing on consideration.

  3. V2358-23

    Confirms that debt forgiveness between dependent companies with identical shareholders is a distribution of profits for the donor and a contribution for the recipient, without tax incidence.

Analysis based on 8 of 9 rulings with a stated position. Updated 29 September 2026.

Rulings on this topic

9
V1824-19 15 Jul 2019

Losses from credit defaults cannot be offset against gains from property sales

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
pérdida patrimonialganancia patrimonialbase imponible generalbase imponible del ahorrocompensación de bases LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 14.2LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 33
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V1887-15 15 Jun 2015

Partner contributions without capital increase are exempt from ITP and AJD

SG de Impuestos Patrimoniales, Tasas y Precios Públicos
operaciones societariasaportación de sociosaumento de capitalexenciónhecho imponible TRITPAJD — RDLeg 1/1993 de ITP y AJD art. 19.1.2TRITPAJD — RDLeg 1/1993 de ITP y AJD art. 45.I.B.11
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V0484-14 21 Feb 2014

Loan forgiveness by partners may increase the acquisition value of their shares

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
valor de adquisiciónreducción de capitalaportación de sociosfondos propiosrendimiento del capital mobiliario LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 7.y)LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 25.1.a)
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual

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